Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important energy chokepoint that carries about one-fifth of all crude oil, according to two people familiar with US intelligence reporting on the issue.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that Iran would be hit "20 times harder" by the U.S. military if it attempts to disrupt the flow of oil or goods through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump threatened Iran with a major military strike if the country disrupts oil and cargo shipping by laying mine in the Strait of Hormuz, as CNN reported The post Trump Threatens Iran With ‘Never Seen Before’ Attack If It Mines Strait of Hormuz first appeared on Mediaite.

Roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas flows through the Strait.

The U.S. military has not yet escorted any oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday, contradicting a now-deleted post from Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

The Strait of Hormuz is a difficult stretch of water to defend. ‌Shipping lanes are just two nautical miles wide and ships must make a turn opposite Iranian islands and a mountainous coast that provides cover for Iranian forces, according to shipping broker SSY Global.

The International Energy Agency will hold an extraodrinary meeting on Tuesday to discuss a possible release of emergency stockpiles.

President Trump is pushing oil tanker crews to “show some guts” and sail through the Strait of Hormuz. “These ships should go through the Strait of Hormuz and show some guts, there’s nothing to be afraid of.